SNP leader Humza Yousaf: 'I am surprised that one of my colleagues has been arrested'

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SNP leader Humza Yousaf says he 'does not believe' the SNP is acting criminally after party treasurer Colin Beattie was arrested this morning .

The Scottish First Minister also said he was "surprised when a colleague of mine was arrested" following the second arrest of a senior SNP official in connection with the Scottish Police investigation into party finances.

Mr. Beattie was arrested on Tuesday morning and questioned by detectives investigating a £660,000 fundraiser and 'kept' for the Scottish independence campaign.

Asked by reporters whether the SNP was operating out of Criminally, Mr. Yousaf told reporters, "No, certainly I don't believe it at all, no."

When asked if he was surprised by Mr. Beattie, he replied, "Well, yes, sure, I'm surprised when one of my colleagues was arrested. It's a very serious matter, indeed."

Mr. Yousaf said he wanted to discuss "pertinent matters" regarding Mr Beattie's role as SNP Treasurer - and his role on the Scottish Parliament's Public Audit Committee - with him whenever he is released by the police.

“I will have to talk to Colin Beattie. From what I understand, he is still at the police station being questioned,” he told reporters at lunchtime on Tuesday, but there are clearly relevant issues around of the Public Audit Committee and of course his roles as National Treasurer.

Earlier this month Nicola Sturgeon's husband, Peter Murrell, was arrested in connection with the police investigation of Operation Branchform. He was later released without charge pending further investigations.

Humza Yousaf makes facing questions over the SNP agitation on Tuesday

(Getty Images)

Ms Yousaf faced calls from opposition parties to suspend Ms Sturgeon as she claimed that she rejected transparency on fundraising and insisted to senior SNP officials that there were no problems with party finances.

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